Nike > Converse > Jordan Brand > Li Ning?

[77ncaachamps]

If Wade makes the move, will MU? True test of allegiance here, huh?

Dwyane Wade Reportedly Considering Leaving Jordan Brand For Li-Ning

Published August 20, 2012

Sneaker magazine Sole Collector's Nick DePaula tweeted Thursday: "Hearing from several people that Dwyane Wade will likely leave Jordan Brand and sign with Li-Ning. Huge shift," according to Jon Pastuszek of NIUBBALL.com. The news follows Jordan Brand canceling his Fly Wade 3's, "and the two sides are reportedly seriously considering a split." Li-Ning has been "struggling as of late," and adding Wade to its roster "may be what it needs to move past what has been a rocky and unprofitable period." After the '08 Beijing Olympics, Li-Ning "aggressively expanded into the American market," but their partnership with Champs Sports fell through along with plans for retail stores across the U.S. The company has since relocated from Portland to Chicago, "where they are in the process of building a strategy that will focus on e-commerce over retail," and that strategy may be "built around a top-10 NBA player as well." Wade, "although not an elite sneaker seller, still commands respect in the American shoe market and would increase Li-Ning's credibility among consumers in the American market" (NIUBBALL.com, 8/19). EXAMINER.com's Juan Martinez noted that for the past few summers, Wade has "already made strides in extending his own brand" in China as part of Jordan Brand. If the reports are true and he signs with Li-Ning, he might now be "looking to cash that equity he has built up with the fans and hope they will follow him to whatever sneaker company he chooses" (EXAMINER.com, 8/17).

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2012/08/20/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/LiNing.aspx

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Wow, I wonder if this is a power play by Wade, or if they are serious.

I know this company has/had Shaq, and I thought they had KG, but it doesn't look like it (maybe another Chinese company?)

I don't know what MU would do. If Li Ning puts up big money to bust into the college market (ala MU), then I'm all for it.

"New McCormick Hall, presented by Li Ning."

[TallTitan34]

If I'm Marquette, I stick with Jordan.

[dw3dw3dw3]

Ya... I like the Nike thing, but money talks. Would definitely have to be a blockbuster offer if Wade is considering.

Not sure how it would affect us, while the kids like the Jordan affiliation, it seems that we are recruiting non-Nike aau teams just as much.  I know someone did a study on kids following shoe brands to college, but I wonder if that has changed.

We've followed whatever Wade gets us in the past, so you'd have to expect we'd follow again. However I have the impression that Buzz is networked much better than his predecessor in these areas.  

[Bocephys]

I've never even heard of Li-Ning before. 

[MUEng92]

I've never even heard of Li-Ning before. 

Thank you.  I was starting to feel left out.

[dw3dw3dw3]

Here's their current athlete lineup http://www.li-ning.com/athletevillage/

They also promote Evan Turner, but that's not working out like they hoped it seems. In addition, they were the provider for the Argentina & Spain teams. You can buy Ginobli, Gasol, and Nocioni national team jerseys from their site.

[jesmu84]

Random... i'm pretty sure the USA women's olympic diving team wore li-ning suits.

[wyzgy]

we've come a long way since the chuck taylors and pf-flyers-I have a toothache?

[Henry Sugar]

How's the stable of Li-Ning AAU teams? Is it as good as the Adidas and Nike AAU teams? Is there as strong a correlation between players that are on Nike/Adidas AAU teams and the NCAA teams they eventually sign with?

[BallBoy]

This has been in the works for awhile. Li Ning is a large player in the Chinese Market. Named after the 1980's gymnast who won 6 medals for China. Interestingly enough, Li Ning's commerce presence in the US (online only) was built and designed by Acquity Group.  Some people may be more familiar with that name because it recently IPO'd and done very well. Now at 10.5 after starting at $6. More importantly it is a Marquette company as two of the five founders were MU grads.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

How's the stable of Li-Ning AAU teams? Is it as good as the Adidas and Nike AAU teams? Is there as strong a correlation between players that are on Nike/Adidas AAU teams and the NCAA teams they eventually sign with?

It's only relevant in Li-Ning offers the same size contract.

If they offer MU significantly more, take the money. Marquette is the brand, not Jordan.

[PaintTouches]

This has been in the works for awhile. Li Ning is a large player in the Chinese Market. Named after the 1980's gymnast who won 6 medals for China. Interestingly enough, Li Ning's commerce presence in the US (online only) was built and designed by Acquity Group.  Some people may be more familiar with that name because it recently IPO'd and done very well. Now at 10.5 after starting at $6. More importantly it is a Marquette company as two of the five founders were MU grads.

Fantastic info. Thanks so much for sharing, never would have connected those dots.

[Bocephys]

This has been in the works for awhile. Li Ning is a large player in the Chinese Market. Named after the 1980's gymnast who won 6 medals for China. Interestingly enough, Li Ning's commerce presence in the US (online only) was built and designed by Acquity Group.  Some people may be more familiar with that name because it recently IPO'd and done very well. Now at 10.5 after starting at $6. More importantly it is a Marquette company as two of the five founders were MU grads.

So it's Marquette leading Wade to Li-Ning and not the other way around?

[BallBoy]

So it's Marquette leading Wade to Li-Ning and not the other way around?

As of now, MU won't be leaving Jordan anytime soon.  Li-Ning is still trying to get the brand name athlete so the college team is not a likely addition.  They had baron Davis for awhile and are currently under contract with Evan Turner. Neither are big names so they are actively looking for that name.  Wade fits that bill for the next couple of years. Shaq was only under contract in China and they are trying to break into the US market now so they need Brand awareness. Their current motto is "the largest brand you have never heard of".

Whether wade joins or not I doubt MU switches anytime soon.  They do make a nice track hoodie.

[77ncaachamps]

So if MU was sponsored by Li Ning, that Chinese bball phenom might not have gone to UNC in that Nike commercial.

[Avenue Commons]

If I'm Marquette, I stick with Jordan.

No brainer. Recruits LOVE that we are Jordan Brand and Nike ELITE. Major equity that we shouldn't give up over the sneaker loyalty of one former player, even if that former player is Dwyane Wade.

D Wade will likely be retired in 5 years anyways. We should not lose Nike/Jordan now. Short term/long term.

[chapman]

I've never even heard of Li-Ning before. 

Me neither. 

Agree that we've got to stick with Jordan for basketball and recruiting purposes.  Though I'd be willing to listen to offers; but I think they'd have to do more than tell us to blindly follow Wade this time.

[spartan3186]

So this is nitpicking, but its driving me insane. I'm pretty sure the title should be:

Li Ning > Jordan > Converse > Nike

The way it is now says Li Ning is the worst of any of those brands.

[LAMUfan]

well it is... I think he was going for an arrow though, directionally speaking

[dgies9156]

"New McCormick Hall, presented by Li Ning."

What's wrong with the old one?

Other than the fact that it's an out-of-place dump more suited for a run-down public housing project, not much.

[77ncaachamps]

well it is... I think he was going for an arrow though, directionally speaking

Correct. We started out as an Elite Team...then moved to Converse (when Wade signed up)...etc.

[Groin_pull]

No way. Stick with Nike or move to Adidas. But I would definitely pass on some cheap-as* Chinese sneakers that probably make LA Gear look good.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

No way. Stick with Nike or move to Adidas. But I would definitely pass on some cheap-as* Chinese sneakers that probably make LA Gear look good.

It's about the $.

If switching brands brings in significantly more $, then switch brands.

[Groin_pull]

It's also about appealing to recruits...and Li Ning ain't gonna get it done.